In the driving seat! Prince Charles takes the wheel of a hydrogen-powered car as he visits manufacturer during his week-long trip to Wales

  • Prince of Wales tested out a hydrogen-powered car when in  Llandrindod Wells 
  • Heir to the throne toured Riversimple, a hydrogen-powered car manufacturer
  • Prince Charles, 72, looked sharp in a grey suit with a purple tie for his visit The Prince of Wales tested out a hydrogen-powered car today when visiting the manufacturer behind the eco-friendly vehicle.

    Prince Charles, 72, toured Riversimple, a hydrogen-powered car manufacturer in Llandrindod Wells, Powys, as part of his week-long trip to Wales.

    The heir to the throne, who donned a protective face covering to combat the spread of the coronavirus, looked sharp in a grey suit with a purple tie for his visit.The Prince of Wales tested out a hydrogen-powered car today when visiting the manufacturer behind the eco-friendly vehicle (pictured)

    The Prince of Wales tested out a hydrogen-powered car today when visiting the manufacturer behind the eco-friendly vehicle (pictured)

    Prince Charles (pictured driving), 72, toured Riversimple, a hydrogen-powered car manufacturer in Llandrindod Wells, Powys, as part of his week-long trip to Wales

    Prince Charles (pictured driving), 72, toured Riversimple, a hydrogen-powered car manufacturer in Llandrindod Wells, Powys, as part of his week-long trip to WalesOn arrival at the company, Prince Charles visited the workshop where he saw a number of vehicles and discovered more about the production process.

    The royal spoke to engineers and technicians about the cars, before taking the wheel of a green-coloured Rasa model - which is a lightweight, two-seat electric vehicle powered by hydrogen. Taking it for a test-drive, Charles heard how the Rasa emits nothing but pure water vapour and is designed to minimise the particulates from tyres and brakes with its low weight, skinny tyres and high regenerative braking.

    It has a range of 300 miles and is billed as being ‘light to handle, responsive and fun to drive’ with a ‘nippy 0-60mph in 9.7 seconds’.

    The prince, known for his green credentials, was pictured grinning as he emerged from the aerodynamic car after the opening of its sleek hi-tech butterfly doors. 

    Prince Charles chats with Poet Laureate Simon Armitage at his Welsh House on July 6 in Myddfai, Wales

    Prince Charles chats with Poet Laureate Simon Armitage at his Welsh House on July 6 in Myddfai, Wales

    The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall are on the second day of their annual visit to Wales. Pictured, with Poet Laureate Simon Armitage

    The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall are on the second day of their annual visit to Wales. Pictured, with Poet Laureate Simon Armitage

    Prince Charles looked relaxed as he took a stroll around the gardens alongside Poet Laureate Simon Armitage

    Prince Charles looked relaxed as he took a stroll around the gardens alongside Poet Laureate Simon Armitage 

    Simon Armitage opted for a brown blazer, white shirt and navy tie for the occasion as he accompanied Prince Charles on a tour around the gardens

    Simon Armitage opted for a brown blazer, white shirt and navy tie for the occasion as he accompanied Prince Charles on a tour around the gardens

    The Princes of Wales looked in high spirits as he appeared to share a joke with Poet Laureate Simon Armitage at his Welsh House in Myddfai, Wales today

    The Princes of Wales looked in high spirits as he appeared to share a joke with Poet Laureate Simon Armitage at his Welsh House in Myddfai, Wales today

    The Prince of Wales could be seen pointing into the distance as he met with Poet Laureate Simon Armitage later this afternoon

    The Prince of Wales could be seen pointing into the distance as he met with Poet Laureate Simon Armitage later this afternoon

    Keen gardener Prince Charles pointed out particular plants as he took Poet Laureate Simon Armitage on a tour of his gardens at his Welsh House at Myddfai, Wales

    Keen gardener Prince Charles pointed out particular plants as he took Poet Laureate Simon Armitage on a tour of his gardens at his Welsh House at Myddfai, Wales

    The heir to the throne looked sharp in a grey suit with a purple tie as he met with the Poet Laureate

    The heir to the throne looked sharp in a grey suit with a purple tie as he met with the Poet Laureate 

    Riversimple is building Rasas for trials with the general public, both in Monmouthshire, where they have installed a refueller in the town centre of Abergavenny, and in Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire.

    It is the first in a range of vehicles, including a light commercial van and a family vehicle, that the firm plans to offer to customers on a subscription basis.

    Later, the royal met with Poet Laureate Simon Armitage - who had previously written a poem to mark the death of Prince Philip - at his Welsh House in Myddfai, Wales. 

    The poem, titled The Patriarchs – An Elegy, was published for the first time on the day of the duke’s funeral.

    Yesterday, Charles looked in high spirits as he visited Iceland Foods headquarters in north Wales.

    The Prince of Wales kick-started day one of his week-long visit to Wales with a visit to the supermarket's HQ in Deeside. 

    The heir to the throne (pictured), who donned a protective face covering to combat the spread of the coronavirus, looked sharp in a grey suit with a purple tie for his visit

    The heir to the throne (pictured), who donned a protective face covering to combat the spread of the coronavirus, looked sharp in a grey suit with a purple tie for his visit

    On arrival at the company, Prince Charles (pictured) visited the workshop where he saw a number of vehicles and discovered more about the production process

    On arrival at the company, Prince Charles (pictured) visited the workshop where he saw a number of vehicles and discovered more about the production process

    The royal spoke to engineers and technicians about the cars, before taking the wheel of a Rasa car - which is a lightweight, two-seat electric car powered by hydrogen

    The royal spoke to engineers and technicians about the cars, before taking the wheel of a Rasa car - which is a lightweight, two-seat electric car powered by hydrogen

    It is the first of a range of vehicles that Riversimple plans to offer customers, and the only emission from these sustainable cars is water. Pictured, Prince Charles talks to staff during his visit

    It is the first of a range of vehicles that Riversimple plans to offer customers, and the only emission from these sustainable cars is water. Pictured, Prince Charles talks to staff during his visit

    During the visit, which marked the company’s 50th anniversary, the royal took a tour of the site while learning about Iceland’s sustainability projects, community initiatives and reaction to the pandemic and panic-buying. 

    The royal was welcomed by the Lord Lieutenant of Clwyd, Henry Fetherstonhaugh and introduced to founder and Executive Chairman, Sir Malcolm Walker, Chief Executive, Tarsem Dhaliwal, Managing Director, Richard Walker and Head of Commercial, Paul Dhaliwal.

    Prince Charles looked dapper in a grey checkered suit which he paired with a light purple and zebra-print tie.

    During the visit, the royal was seen sitting in a a forklift, before being shown how to operate the heavy piece of machinery by Malcolm Walker, Founder & Executive Chairman.

    It comes as the heir to the throne revealed his favourite songs, including tracks by The Three Degrees, as he took part in a special hospital radio broadcast. 

    The Prince of Wales (left) is introduced to Welsh Secretary Simon Hart and Welsh Senedd member Fay Jones (right), who once worked for him at Clarence House, during his visit to hydrogen powered car manufacturer Riversimple

    The Prince of Wales (left) is introduced to Welsh Secretary Simon Hart and Welsh Senedd member Fay Jones (right), who once worked for him at Clarence House, during his visit to hydrogen powered car manufacturer Riversimple

    Prince Charles speaks with staff members as he visits Riversimple today, in Llandrindod Wells

    Prince Charles speaks with staff members as he visits Riversimple today, in Llandrindod Wells

    The Prince of Wales test drives a Rasa hydrogen-powered car during a visit to Riversimple

    The Prince of Wales test drives a Rasa hydrogen-powered car during a visit to Riversimple

    To celebrate the 73rd birthday of the NHS, Prince Charles, who will celebrate his own 73rd birthday in November, pre-recorded the programme in which he discussed songs which spark fond memories from his lifetime. 

    One of his favourites is Givin’ Up, Givin’ In, which The Three Degrees performed at his 30th birthday.

    It is a song which, Charles said, ‘used to provide me with an irresistible urge to get up and dance’. 

    He also chose Don’t Rain On My Parade by Barbra Streisand, who he first met in 1974 when she performed for him on the set of her film Funny Girl. 

    Other tracks included La Vie En Rose by Edith Piaf and Thou Who Gavest, by Arwel Hughes, who organised the music for Charles’s 1969 investiture as the Prince of Wales. The Music And Memories programme was broadcast in 180 hospitals at noon.

    The Prince of Wales and Poet Laureate Simon Armitage looked deep in conversation at the royal's Welsh House in Myddfai, Wales

    The Prince of Wales and Poet Laureate Simon Armitage looked deep in conversation at the royal's Welsh House in Myddfai, Wales

    Poet Laureate Simon Armitage had previously written a poem to mark the death of Prince Philip. Pictured, with Prince Charles

    Poet Laureate Simon Armitage had previously written a poem to mark the death of Prince Philip. Pictured, with Prince Charles

    The poem, titled The Patriarchs – An Elegy, was published for the first time on the day of the duke’s funeral. Pictured, with Prince Charles

    The poem, titled The Patriarchs – An Elegy, was published for the first time on the day of the duke’s funeral. Pictured, with Prince Charles

    The duo seemed to be deep in conversation as they took a walk along the gardens this afternoon

    The duo seemed to be deep in conversation as they took a walk along the gardens this afternoon

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